According to an interview with Rolling Stone, The Avett Brothers are "at the finish line" of their seventh album. The group recorded 20 songs at Echo Mountain in Asheville, NC with aid of production notes from Rick Rubin. New songs include "The Once and Future Carpenter", "Down With The Shine" and "Paul Newman Versus the Demons". The I and Love and You follow-up is reportedly due in the spring. [www.rollingstone.com]
Brendan Benson will release his fifth album, What Kind of World, on April 24th. The record will be released through Benson's new "record label and publishing company, Readymade". The label will also release Give Me My Change from Young Hines on April 10th. [brendanbenson.com]
British Sea Power are about to embark on their Krankenhaus residency in Brighton. They will perform "a regular club night on the first Friday of every month". As well, the group is kicking off an EP series that will "feature demos of brand new songs and experimental material". BSP1 will only be available at Krankenhaus shows and the BSP online shop. [britishseapower.co.uk]
The original Bela Fleck & the Flecktones lineup will hit the road in March and April, one last time in support of their new album, Rocket Science. The trek kicks off March 1st at Union Theater in Madison, WI. [www.flecktones.com]
As previously reported, Olafur Arnalds will release his "first Hollywood film score" for Sam Levinson's Another Happy Day on February 27th through Erased Tapes. Stream "Poland" on SoundCloud. [soundcloud.com]
It's been a long time coming, but Cory Branan has finally finished and found a home for his follow-up to 2006's 12 Songs. The new album, Mutt, will be released in May 2012 through Bloodshot Records. The label has worked with Ryan Adams, Old 97's, Ben Kweller and Justin Townes Earle. Cory is in good company. [www.bloodshotrecords.com]
As previously reported, The Life and Times will release No One Loves You Like I Do on January 17th. The group have scheduled an extensive US tour in support. The video for the driving opening track "Day One" is available on Alternative Press. [thelifeandtimes.com]
Agent Fresco checked in on Facebook at the end of 2011 with an update. The group are currently writing and recording songs for a new album. As reported, they will hit the States for SXSW and A Long Time Listening will see an international release in 2012. [www.facebook.com]
As reported, new music from Crosses is imminent. However, it ends up that it's a new EP (YouTube teaser) and it's due on January 24th. Stream a keys stem from "Prurient" on SoundCloud. The duo's debut live performances are coming up, as well. [www.crossesmusic.com]
Seattle's garage pop trio The Pharmacy have released a new EP, Dig Your Grave, on Kind Turkey Records. Two new songs were recorded with producer Brandon Eggleston (Modest Mouse, Akron Family). The EP is a hint at what's to come on the band's new full-length, Stoned & Alone, due later this year from Park The Van. The group is currently out on a lengthy tour in support of the EP. Stream the title track on Bandcamp. [thepharmacy.bandcamp.com]
Warp Records will release the label's debut full-length from My Best Fiend, In Ghostlike Fading, on February 21st. Download "Higher Palms" from Warp and stream "Cracking Eggs" on YouTube. Their sound is akin to the thematic rock of Mercury Rev or Spiritualized. [www.facebook.com]
Refused will reunite to perform at two spring festivals: Coachella 2012 in Indio, CA and Way Out West in Gothenburg, Sweden. They've launched an official website and a Twitter account. As simply stated on Twitter, "REFUSED ARE NOT FUCKIN' DEAD". It appears the band is hoping to give the seminal The Shape of Punk to Come its due attention after 14 years. [officialrefused.com.preview.binero.se]
At The Drive-In will reunite for Coachella 2012. They've relaunched their website with a teaser video and the message "this station is... now... operational". As well, they've created a Twitter account. While there are only two performances scheduled at this time, it's hard to imagine there isn't more to come. [atdimusic.com]
Mike Vennart and Richard "Gambler" Ingram (formerly of Oceansize) have posted four teasers for their new group British Theatre. A debut EP or full-length is expected from the duo in 2012. [www.britishtheatremusic.com]
TBD Records will release the third White Rabbits album, Milk Famous, on March 6th. The bulk of the album was recorded in Austin, TX with producer Mike McCarthy (Spoon, The Features). A tour is scheduled throughout March and April in support of the record. Download the new track "Heavy Metal" from the band. [tbdrecords.com]
Philadelphia's Dr. Dog will return on February 7th with Be The Void via ANTI- Records. The album features a "far leaner and meaner primal sound". Stream "That Old Black Hole" on the label's website. Shame, Shame was released in 2010. [anti.com]
Carolina Chocolate Drops will return on February 28th with their third full-length, Leaving Eden, through Nonesuch Records. The album was produced by Buddy Miller and is a mix of "original compositions, covers, and traditional songs". [www.nonesuch.com]
Coachella has outdone itself this year: the 2012 lineup includes Radiohead, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, Refused, At The Drive-In, Pulp, The Black Keys, M83, Bon Iver, The Shins and The Hives, among many others. You can view the full weekend lineup on the Coachella website. The festival takes place April 13-15th and April 20-22nd. [www.coachella.com]
Alabama Shakes is getting a lot of buzz lately, and rightly so. The rock/blues/soul outfit from Athens, AL released a self-titled EP in September 2011 (stream it on Bandcamp). They recently signed to ATO Records and a debut-full length is expected in April 2012. Catch the band on tour in the States for the next few weeks, before they cross the pond. [alabamashakes.bandcamp.com]
Seattle's Orcas will release their self-titled debut album on April 24th through Morr Music. Stream the album track "Carrion" on SoundCloud. The group is comprised of "haze-pop auteur Benoit Pioulard and post-minimalist composer Rafael Anton Irisarri" and is the convergence of "pop hook and spatial ambience". [www.facebook.com]
